Nurul Izzah settles suit with Raja Nong Chik, makes open apology

The defamation suit of former Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing minister Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin against Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and two others was settled after Nurul Izzah made an apology in open court on Thursday.

The suit involved a libelous statement allegedly made by Nurul Izzah over the purchase of a piece of land.

"I regret the statement and I promise not to repeat it or any statement related to that published statement of mine," she said when reading out her statement of apology in the High Court, here, Thursday.

Nurul Izzah said there was an error in the media statement made by her on the evening of May 4, last year, a day before the 13th general election which had tarnished the good name of Raja Nong Chik as a politician, qualified accountant and Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing minister at the time, as well as his family members.

Earlier, M. Reza Hassan, counsel for Raja Nong Chik, said both parties had reached an agreement based on the agreed terms of settlement and the first defendant (Nurul Izzah) would read out her statement of apology in court.

Lawyer Edmund Bon, representing Nurul Izzah, and lawyer A. Lourdes Abishegam, acting for Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd, the owner of the Malaysiakini news portal, and Malaysiakini reporter Lu Wei Hoong also confirmed the settlement of the suit.

M. Reza also told the court that his client would withdraw the suit against the Malaysiakini reporter as the second defendant (Mkini Dotcom) would be publishing Nurul Izzah's statement of apology on the Malaysiakini website within seven days.

Judge Datuk Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamed recorded the consent judgment without making any order on cost and ordered the second defendant to publish the statement of apology.

Nik Hasmat also said: "I congratulate the parties to come out with an amicable settlement."

On July 17, last year, Raja Nong Chik filed the suit against Nurul Izzah and two others, claiming that she had made a false and defamatory statement against him over the sale of a land during a press conference at Bangunan Bakti, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, here, a day before the 13th general election.

In his statement of claim, Raja Nong Chik said Nurul Izzah's published statement on the Malaysiakini website on May 4, last year had badly tarnished his reputation as a respected politician, former minister and senator in this country.

Outside the court yesterday, Raja Nong Chik when met by reporters said he was grateful that the case was finally settled after a year.

He said in conjunction with the good month (of Syawal), he decided not to proceed with the case and claim damages.

"I also feel that we should be united as our country is now in mourning over the MH17 tragedy," he added.